26 July 2013, 15:15
Protesters in Yerevan demand public discussion of public transport fares
Decisions on public transport fares in Yerevan should be made with direct participation of the public, activists of the initiative group "We won't pay 150 drams!" stated on July 26 during their action.
"We suggest to organize an open public hearing, where citizens of Yerevan could discuss all the problems in this sphere," said Ruzanna Grigoryan, a member of the group.
The new tariffs, which raised the price of a bus or a fixed-route taxi travel in Yerevan from 100 to 150 drams took effect on July 20. The sharp increase of the fare faced resistance of local residents. On July 25, the Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan announced a suspension of the fare increase.
At today's action, held at the building of the Mayoralty, activists said that they did not believe the suspension of the new tariffs to be the ultimate solution – they demanded from Taron Margaryan to cancel not suspend the decision to raise tariffs.
Besides, about 30 activists of the initiative group announced an endless sitting picket in front of the building of the Mayoralty with a demand to dismiss the head of the Transport Department of the Mayoralty Genrikh Navasardyan and the Director of the Closed Joint-Stock Company (CJSC) "Yerevantrans" Misak Ambartsumyan.
Author: Armine Martirosyan Source: CK correspondent
